Wife and I just picked up a low mileage 06 S. I didn't think we'd be doing much off roading in it, or that the boss would let me:-) until this last weekend when we took it off roading for the first time.

I've been looking on line. I've figured I want probably a 3 inch lift, no less than 2, and I may be putting on some 32" or 33" tires-(not sure how much a difference between 32's & 33's. PLUS I think the 32's may fit my stock rims.

I looked at the spacer kits as an affordable option-(CALMINI 2.5" Suspension), but the guy I spoke to tried to talk me out of it as it max's out the front suspension arms. Part of my reason for this option is I thought it would be an easy way to try an maintain a stock ride too, BUT it sounds like I will have to opt for a kit with new front control arms. Do any of you have any suggestions? & Where I could get this stuff, either online or close by. I in Modesto/Turlock California.

Some of the guys I know have used products from this shop Click Me with good results.

Thanks Man, any info helps!, looks like they're in Southern California, gonna see if if they can referr me to a close shop for instal, otherwise I'll have to make a trip down there because I don't want to try it myself

I'm a relative newbie to the modification world, but I've been doing alot of research here and other onlines sites as well.

And yes, my understanding is that once you exceed 2.5"+ then you will have issues with "stock" geometry. i.e. Constant Velocity (CV) angles, upper control arm contact (UCA), etc.

There are a couple of companies that are manufacturing UCAs for 2005+ Xs:

Total Chaos,
Spencer Low Racing (SLR),
Rancho

Then you have to decide on springs, coilovers etc for the front.

As suggested above, Greg at PRGProducts is quite knowledgeable about the Xterra and its capabilities and can make proper suggestions for your specific application. The shop is located in Riverside(?) California.

I plan to purchase the parts online (Radflo coilover shocks and TC UCAs, and a Deaver AAL) and then have a local shop install them. Shop labor has been quoted between $70hr to $110hr here.

SLR has a 3" complete lift kit, but it starts around $2k depending on options. Definitely quality products though.

Ask LOTS of questions before you decide. There are a few options, but knowing what you want to end up with will help direct your decisions.

Yea,

I spoke to Greg at PRG and with the arms and total set up for a 3"lift I was looking at like $2K installed. He seems VERY knowledgeable.

After talking with him I think I might just go with a 2" with some new Coil-Overs-(that I can upgrade to Total Caos Arms later getting a full 3" out of it) and a rear spring upgrade kit. It will give me 2 to 2&1/h inches of overall lift.

It sounds like from talking to him install for the Coil overs and rear spring upgrade is very easy. He even told me alignment is simple.

I'm going to check it out more, but it seems like the parts would be great quality over spacers, and it's basically a modular kit that I can upgrade later.

Is it pretty simple to install new coil overs and rear spring upgrade kit???

It's simpler and cheaper to pull the strut tower out, rotate 180Deg and attach the Daystar Spacer (or Calmini) and bolt back in. Rear just remove the stock shackles and bolt on the replacements. 1 Hour tops for the front if you don't have stubborn bottom strut bolts like I did and the rear is 30 min tops.

If you're doing Shrock front bumper then by all means get the springs replaced etc. as the stock ones will be way to mushy and you'll lose clearance.

Have fun and wheel lightly especially if you're under warranty and want something replaced if it breaks.